Alum casts new line, encourages students to ask questions, seek truth

Austin Fischer drove up to campus as he has for the last four years. But this time, it wasn’t to get a degree or play flag football on the intramural fields; it was to share a message of grace at Focus— the campus’ weekly worship service.

“There’s a lot of confusion as to what it means to be a Christian,” Fischer said. “Life and faith seem like two friends that don’t get along very well. You like them both, but you don’t know how to get you, life and faith together because it feels so forced and weird.”

The ’09 alum—currently studying to get his master’s of divinity at Truett Seminary in Waco—wants to communicate to students that doubt is not a sign of faithlessness.

“You don’t have to be afraid of questions,” Fischer said. “There is freedom in asking, and when we do, we

Austin Fischer (left) spends time with younger brother Adam before speaking to the student body at Focus.

find a faith so much deeper.

Asking questions is the beginning of faith.”

Fischer spoke at Focus for the last two weeks, and will speak again Wednesday night at 8:28 p.m. in the W. W. Walton Chapel.

His hope is for Crusaders to see their relationship with God as a safe place. His advice is to “ask a lot of questions, say a lot of prayers and be mindful that God is in everything— no matter how big or mundane.”

However, Fischer is quick to admit he hasn’t always done these things.

“I was not very fond of Jesus or the church in high school,” he said. “I found a lot of different things enticing
and never felt guilty for doing them.”

God captured Fischer his sophomore year of high school, he said.

“I just came to a place where I realized that what God had to offer was so much better than what I was doing.”

“There are certain things you can’t empathize with people unless you’ve been there,” he said. “I definitely remember what it’s like to want to believe but not be able to find much reason to.”

Fischer struggled in college like most students, which is why his messages hit home for many Crusaders.

“When I was a sophomore at Mary Hardin-Baylor, I went through a time of difficult questioning,” he said.

“It’s easy to start questioning what you’ve been through.”

He reminds students of the grace that can be found in this search.

After graduate school, Fischer would like to pastor and teach introductory philosophy at the collegiate level, but only, he jokes, if his other three dream jobs don’t end up a reality— becoming the United States president, hosting the Colbert Report or being the next dog whisperer. But for now, Fischer said he will live life to the fullest by focusing on the present and letting God have control of his future plans.

Alumnus Austin Fischer sits on a bench outside of the W.W. Walton Chapel refl cting on his time at UMHB before speaking at Focus, a weekly campus worship service.

“Abraham Lincoln said that ‘Whatever you are, be a good one.’ Honestly, I feel like there are a few things I could do in the future that would make me happy,” he said. “So I want to find one of those places and serve God and bless people.”

When not studying or preaching, Fischer enjoys hanging out at the lake, playing sports and making music. He notes, however, that he’s not good at the latter.

“I think God knew if I was good at an instrument, I would be real cocky, so it’s fair enough that I’m not,” he admitted laughing. “My brother got all of the musical talent.”

Fischer’s younger brother Adam, a junior psychology major at UMHB, plays a large role in Austin’s life.

“I am very close to my family,” Fischer said. “My mom and dad and my brother are (three) of the best people I know, and not very many people can say that.”

Adam, likewise, looks up to his brother.

“He is definitely the biggest mentor in my life, and it’s cool to see him impact students here,” he said. “He’s
not just a speaker who goes up there as one thing and then is a totally different person when he gets off the
stage.”

Junior psychology major Miles O’Neil believes Fischer’s authenticity is what makes him inspirational to others.

“He is a good leader and has a good vision,” O’Neil said. “Everywhere he goes, it seems like he really impacts people.”

O’Neil has known Fischer for seven years. They grew up together in Lubbock, and O’Neil participated in The Cleft, a Bible study spearheaded by Fischer. O’Neil said he has grown to respect Fischer as both a friend and mentor.

“You can speak to try and glorify yourself, and you can speak to try and glorify the crowd,” O’Neil said. “But Austin speaks to glorify God.”

A senior from Lago Vista, Texas, Crystal enjoys hanging out at the lake with friends, eating ice-pops, having conversations over hot chocolate with marshmallows, going on random road-trips and watching Gilmore Girls with her mom.
She is double majoring in mass communication/journalism and Spanish. Post graduation, Crystal plans on getting her master's and working abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.
Having served in various positions on The Bells, Crystal is now the editor-in-chief. She enjoys feature and sports writing.

Facebook

Subscribe and Connect

Enter your email address to subscribe to "The Bells" by email:

About The Bells

Owned and published by UMHB, The Bells is a biweekly publication. We applaud diversity, allowing editorial statements to express the opinion of those listed in the byline.Opinions do not necessarily reflect the adviser’s, staff’s and/or the university’s opinion.Read more »

About UMHB

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor prepares students for leadership, service, and faith-informed discernment in a global society.